NEWSLINKS
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTION 99
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

Search Rediff

Brigadier hurt in freak accident along LoC

Our Correspondent in New Delhi

In a freak accident, a brigadier commanding a critical brigade fell into a deep gorge dangerously close to the Line of Control, resulting in serious injuries to his spinal cord. This mishap, sources say, exposes the dangerous conditions under which the army operates in Kashmir.

The brigadier is currently undergoing specialist treatment at the army's Research and Referral hospital in New Delhi. According to sources, he would not be able to resume his duties, as the injuries are "serious".

According to sources, Brig Gangadharan, commander of 104 Infantry Brigade based at Tangdhar, fell into a deep gorge a few weeks back while on a routine inspection at an Indian post along the LoC.

"He fell deep into the gorge, and was rescued only about five hours later," say reliable sources.

The 104 Infantry Brigade looks after the crucial and highly volatile Tangdhar sector of the LoC, and it falls under the command of the 28 Infantry Division based at Kupwara.

Brig Gangadharan had just completed his visit to Darshan post and from there was moving to the next post, Hump. The distance between the two posts is covered by holding on to a support rope, and moving through the thin edge of a ridge.

It was while doing this that the officer lost his control and fell into the ravine. Though the senior officer fell in some time in the evening, it was midnight by the time he was rescued.

"Luckily, there was no Pakistani shelling that evening. Otherwise the area witnesses heavy shelling almost daily," said an officer familiar with the region.

Brig Gangadharan's son is also an army officer serving in Kashmir.

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report